The case involved a visiting lorry driver delivering to the logistics company who was struck by a pallet while his vehicle was being unloaded, causing him to suffer life threatening injuries. The driver was admitted to hospital where he spent four weeks and is now unable to continue as an LGV driver.
It is reported that a risk assessment had been undertaken by the logistics company for this activity, however, it lacked sufficient information relating specifically to visiting drivers and the correct processes were often not enforced with visitors.
The result was a fine of £22,000 along with costs of £4,639 for the logistics company, although, the publicity and brand damage could have a far greater cost.
This case highlights that having a risk assessment or policy documentation that doesn’t address all of your risks leaves your organisation exposed, and that transport health and safety can be a more complex subject than they realise. There is a need for robust policies that are correctly communicated to those within your organization that need to know and are enforced rigidly by your employees. Fleetrisk24, specialists in transport health and safety, work with clients to ensure that risk assessments, and all policy documentation, meets their specific needs, and can help with ongoing monitoring, management, and training of managers and employees. Head of risk management at Fleetrisk24, David Penny said:
“In our experience, a one size fits all approach is unlikely to work and the need to seek professional help when creating policy and arrangements documents is vital. The long term cost of this service is minimal compared to the consequences of getting it wrong, not only for the organisation, but also for others that your duty of care extends to that all too often are needlessly hurt”.
Fleetrisk24 also conduct external audit services for organisations who may be concerned about documentation that may be out of date, or does not meet current requirements. An external audit will give those members of an organisation who are ultimately responsible for ensuring the health and safety of employees, and third parties, peace of mind. It will also give your key stakeholders peace of mind and the knowledge that your policies and processes have been externally assessed.